Reports of thefts, burglaries are everyday occurrence in county

The reports of thefts, burglaries and suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office are a daily occurrence in Morrison County. In the wake of the deaths of two alleged burglars during a home invasion Thanksgiving Day, it was reported that Byron Smith, now charged with murdering the two intruders, has been the victim of numerous burglaries, but only reported one, on Oct. 27.

The Nov. 4 issue of the Record, reported only: “Oct. 27 — A resident on Elm Street in Little Falls reported a burglary” under the report from the Morrison County Sheriff’s Department. Also reported in that issue were thefts in Swanville, Pierz, Randall and Upsala. Since the shootings, more details about the Oct. 27 burglary have been released, noting that Smith lost more than $13,000 in property and cash.

To determine how large the overall problem is, the Record checked the initial complaint reports from the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office so far in November. More than 50 calls were made to report thefts, burglaries or other suspicious activity.

Here are the details:

On Nov. 1, a theft was reported by Morrison County Social Services without any other details released.

Also on Nov. 1, a cabin owner on Dollars Drive south of Pillager reported that the cabin had damage inside and that he would be throwing away the mattresses. Nothing was reported stolen.

On Nov. 2, a theft was reported on Edward Street South in Pierz without any other details released.

Also on Nov. 2, a burglary was reported on Third Avenue South in Motley without any other details released.

On Nov. 3, a theft was reported on Haven Road near Little Falls without any other details released.

Also on Nov. 3, a woman reported the theft of her wallet, but admitted it may have fallen into a grocery bag and might be at her mom’s house. When her mother was contacted, she found the wallet.

On Nov. 4, four pine log chairs were stolen from a consignment shop near Cushing.

Also on Nov. 4, a resident living on South Elm Street in Royalton reported that she heard the door of her residence being opened, her dogs started barking and she believed someone was outside her residence. Deputies were unable to locate anyone.

On Nov. 6, a woman on Highway 27 outside Little Falls reported that someone took her hooded sweatshirt with her purse and cellphone in it.

Also on Nov. 6, a burglary was reported on Highway 25 near Royalton without any other details released.

On Nov. 7, suspicious activity was reported on 225th Avenue north of Pierz without any other details released.

Also on Nov. 7, a lake home near Burtrum was reported to have been broken into. The top drawers of both dressers in the master bedroom were open, but nothing appeared to be missing.

Also on Nov. 7, a red truck pulled into a yard on 242nd Avenue near Pierz, and a male in the truck was looking around. The caller thought it looked suspicious.

Also on Nov. 7, a burglary was reported on Cannon Road east of Swanville without any other details released.

On Nov. 8, $8 was reported stolen in Harding, but no one wanted to press charges after the victim was reimbursed.

Also on Nov. 8, a realtor lockbox on a home was reported to have been tampered with. No address or any other details were released.

Also on Nov. 8, a silver-colored, late-model car was seen driving slowly past a residence on 285th Avenue, northeast of Pierz, in the early mornings and at dusk for about a week.

On Nov. 9, just after midnight, a resident on North Cedar Street in Royalton reported his motion-detector light had come on, and believed a male in a black hoodie had tried to tamper with his vehicle, then ran down the alley. A deputy patrolled the area for 30 minutes but saw no one.

Also on Nov. 9, a theft was reported in Harding with no other details released.

On Nov. 10, a man reported that a white family-sized car pulled into his driveway off Nature Road near Royalton, two men got out and were looking at the garage. The caller said he confronted them. They said they got the address off Craig’s List, and the garage was supposed to be reshingled. The caller told them they had the wrong address, and they began backpedaling, got in the car and left.

Also on Nov. 10, a man reported someone was leaving pop and beer cans in his barn and yard on 225th Avenue northwest of Pierz. The caller was urged to put locks on his barn and put up trail cameras to catch whoever was doing it.

On Nov. 11, a chicken barn was broken into on 173rd Street north of Pierz. Nothing was believed to have been taken.

On Nov. 13, a security alarm went off for a home on East Cottonwood Road near Lake Alexander. The back door appeared to be unlocked, but nothing appeared to be tampered with.

On Nov. 14, after hearing about the chicken barn break-in, another person checked his own chicken barn and reported a John Deere back pack leaf blower, model BP40 and a Dewalt 18V cordless drill complete with charger, two batteries and a case, were missing.

On Nov. 15, a theft involving juveniles was reported on 255th Avenue north of Pierz. No other details were released.

On Nov. 18, a caller from Flensburg reported someone pounding on her doors and windows. No damage was reported, and the deputy was unable to locate anyone.

On Nov. 19, a man reported the theft of a Porter Cable brand air compressor, a shovel and a hammer from his chicken barn on 133rd Street near Pierz.

Also on Nov. 19, a man reported that it appeared mail had been tampered with on Cottonwood Road near Lake Alexander.

On Nov. 20, a theft was reported on Highway 27 east of Pierz. No other details were released.

On Nov. 21, the theft of a Stihl backpack style leaf blower was reported on 143rd Street east of Pierz.

Also on Nov. 21, a theft was reported on 200th Street north of Little Falls. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 21, juveniles were involved in suspicious activity on Hilton Road near Little Falls. No other details were released.

On Nov. 23, it was reported that the doors of Darling Church were open. However, there were no fresh tracks in the snow, and it appears that the wind was the culprit.

Also on Nov. 23, a caller reported that his hunting dog had been stolen on 130th Avenue west of Royalton.

Also on Nov. 23, a theft was reported on 145th Street west of Little Falls. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 23, a theft was reported from a business in Cushing. No other details were released.

On Nov. 24, a burglary at a business on Main Street in Pierz was reported. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 24, a burglary was reported on 150th Avenue near Little Falls. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 24, a suspicious vehicle was reported near 180th Street and Ginger Road, but a deputy was unable to locate it after patrolling the area.

On Nov. 25, a burglary was reported on Arden Boulevard just south of Little Falls. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 25, thefts were reported on 133rd Street near Pierz and on 150th Avenue near Little Falls. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 25, a blue or black 1990s Chevy truck with a rust-colored stripe was reported tearing up a cornfield on Skyview Road by Hillman.

On Nov. 27, suspicious activity was reported on Hilton Road by Little Falls. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 27, a suspicious balding male wearing blue jeans and a camo jacket was seen walking on Eagle Drive in Randall, but the deputy was unable to locate the individual.

Also on Nov. 27, suspicious activity was reported on Highway 10 near Little Falls, on Highway 27 near Pierz and on Apron Road west of Randall. No other details were released.

On Nov. 28, suspicious activity was reported on 20th Avenue near Randall. No other details were released.

Also on Nov. 28, suspicious activity was reported by the County Government Center and Clifton Aaron Goss, 25, was arrested. No other details were released.

Reports for the last two days of the month will be released next week.